In summer 2013 members of several ABC groups discussed the necessity of introducing an International Day for Anarchist Prisoners. Given there are already established dates for Political Prisoners Rights Day or Prison Justice Day, we found it important to emphasise the stories of our comrades as well. Many imprisoned anarchists will never be acknowledged as ‘political prisoners’ by formal human-rights organisations, because their sense of social justice is strictly limited to the capitalist laws which are designed to defend the State and prevent any real social change. At the same time, even within our individual communities, we know so little about the repression that exists in other countries, to say nothing of the names and cases involving many of our incarcerated comrades.

This is why we have decided to introduce an annual Week for Anarchist Prisoners on August 23-30. We chose August 23 as a starting point, because on that very day in 1927 the Italian-American anarchists Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were executed in prison. They were convicted of murdering two men during an armed robbery at a shoe factory in South Braintree, Massachusetts, United States. Their arrest was a part of a bigger anti-radical campaign led by the American government. The State’s evidence against the two was almost totally non-existent and many people still today believe that they were punished for their strong anarchist beliefs. Given the nature and diversity of anarchist groups around the globe, we have proposed a week of common action rather than a single campaign on a specific day making easier for groups to be able to organise an event within a longer target period. Therefore, we call on everyone to spread the information about the Week for Anarchist Prisoners among other groups and communities and think about organising event(s) in your city or town. The events can vary from info-evenings, screenings and benefit concerts to solidarity and direct actions. Let your imagination run free.

After a short period of inactivity, pugetsoundanarchists.org is active once again. The site has served as an open space for discussion, dialog, and reference over the years. It is meant to function as a space that is open to all tendencies of anarchism in the Puget Sound area. The site is in no way the meeting point or result of one group but rather a forum and tool for anarchists of all stripes to engage with one another.

Although, the space is online, over the years, it has proven to be a force for regional anarchists as a place where anarchists can see parts of the local struggle and activity reflected through a neutral medium.

In light of the Seattle Federal Grand Jury and its subsequent intimidation, it is necessary to continue to act and reflect as anarchists regardless of the consequences of repression. This site is just another simple tool that can be used by comrades and potential comrades to carry out their practice against the State and Capital and in solidarity with those in exile, prison, or otherwise resisting the hands of the State.

On the evening of January 5, I was arrested with my comrades Fallon and Carlos for allegedly attacking the office of the Federal Secretary of Communications and Transportation of Mexico, and also a Nissan dealership. Windows were broken and molotov cocktails were thrown inside the ministry, (according to what the evidence says) and inside the new cars of the dealership. Damages are evaluated to more than 70 000 pesos at the ministry and 100 000 pesos at Nissan.

Indeed, I’m an anarchist and live in Montreal, Canada. I was traveling in Mexico, and now my trip is being prolonged some time.

After being arrested, they locked us up for 96 hours, and then transfered us at the Federal Centre of Arraigo – without prior having seen a judge. We were held captive for 40 days. In a cell, 23 hours per day, a cigarette a day, smoked in 10 minutes; 3 meals per day, but with only 10 minutes to eat each time, without talking; not allowed to have a pencil; 9 minutes of phone per day… In short, it was a long wait, and there was nothing more than Mexican “telenovelas” playing on tv all day. Luckily our friends sent us some books! Thanks, I don’t know how I could have survived without.

On day 40, the General Prosecutor of the Republic (PGR – federal) transfered our files to the PGJ (state police) because they have no evidence to charge us of a federal crime. Thus, since February 17, Fallon and I are at “Santa Martha” State penitentiary for women in Mexico City, where we were transfered, and Carlos is at “Oriente” State penitentiary for men 20 minutes from us. Here, it’s a micro-society surrounded by cement and barbed-wire, but where you can do as you wish inside.

At the moment of writing this text, its 7:30 am. I’m in the yard and I’m looking at the sun rising behind the watchtower occupying the scenery. Actually, I almost feel like I’m in the yard of an apartment block when i look at the building with clothes hanging from windows without bars. There’s plenty of pigeons, garbagecans, yellowed grass, and barbed-wire. There’s also plenty of people with their own stories.

Prisons are necessary for maintaining social peace, as are cops. It is the domination and control that permits this sickening world to persist. Prison means fear, the unknown, shame, solitude, isolation. Society is the domestication of individuals into “good citizens”. Thus, my strength as individual takes root in the refusal of fear being a limit in my life. For sure I’m afraid, like everyone, of many things, but my desires of freedom are stronger. Fear is often constructed, and is deconstructed when we face it. What’s important is to see further, beyond the boundaries and borders, beyond the walls, mountains, rivers and oceans.

Yesterday February 17, marked the end of the 40 days of arraigo* decreed by the Attorney General of the Republic against our compañerxs Carlos López, Amelie Pelletier and Fallon Poisson.

During these forty days they tried to put together a case for Terrorism and Organized Crime against them, however, and despite intimidating and inquisitorial methods, they were unable to mount their case, so that at the end of the arraigo our compañerxs were released for lack of evidence. The Local Police of the Federal District has since detained them on charges of damages and attacks to public peace.

Amelie and Fallon are now in the women’s prison Reclusorio Femenil de Santa Martha and were visited by their lawyers, while Carlos called and said he is in Reclusorio Oriente, however it wont be until tomorrow that he can receive visitors.

Since the charges they are facing aren’t for major crimes, it is possible for them to reach bail, although we should remember that Mario González facing the same situation has had bail refused systematically, arguing that he is a danger for society.

Let’s continue solidarity with our sisters and brothers kidnapped by the State!

Today, February 13th 2014, Joel Bitar was sentenced to 19 months minus 17 days for his participation in the 2010 G20 protests in Toronto. As soon as we have his address we will publicize it, and Joel welcomes letters and visits. GABC is also collecting funds for his canteen and to help folks to visit him. Joel – our hearts are with you!

Here is his statement:

Hello,

I have not been able to speak much since my arrest last February so I appreciate the opportunity to make a statement today. I only plan on taking a small amount of your time. At the end of my statement I am going to to issue an apology to some of the individuals who were affected by my actions. It is my hope that this statement better contextualizes the choices I’ve made that have led me to this courtroom.

I came to Toronto four years ago for many of the same reasons as the tens of thousands of other people who marched on the streets that day. These are many of the same reasons why hundreds of thousands of people have demonstrated in Seattle against the World Trade Organization, in Genoa against the G8, in Quebec City against the Free Trade Area of the Americas, in Gothenburg against the EU summit, in Rostock against the G8 and in Pittsburgh against the G20. They are many of the same reasons why people are now protesting in the streets of New York, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Turkey, Greece, Italy and Spain. It is only really possible to understand the events that took place in Toronto in the context of the global movement against neoliberalism and the corporatization of the planet. It is my belief that this movement is best explained as an individual and collective response to various forms of domination and exploitation. My politics are inseparable from my own life experiences, which I would like to briefly speak about now.

Left Bank Books is republishing Fredy Perlman’s classic novel Letters of Insurgents. Originally published by Black and Red in 1976, and out of print for several years, this epistolary novel tells the story of two individuals living on distant continents resume contact through correspondence. They describe meaningful events and relationships in their lives during the twenty years since their youthful liaison, comparing the choices each took. Yarostan lives in a “workers’ republic”; Sophia in a “Western democracy.” They both make efforts to lead meaningful lives. Along the way, they encounter bureaucrats, idealists, racists, flaunters of social convention, labor militants, professors, jailors, hucksters and more. In important respects, Sophia’s biography parallels that of Fredy Perlman.

Copies can be pre-ordered from leftbankbooks.bigcartel.com, copies should be ready by the end of March.

“A woman charged with allegedly selling alcoholic “freezies” at the popular nudist hangout Wreck Beach is the first to face criminal charges in what police say is a crackdown on the open sale of liquor and drugs. Alana Thomson, 31, of Vancouver, had a court date this week to face 14 charges, including several counts of unlawfully selling, advertising and soliciting for orders of “frozen alcoholic beverages, commonly known as freezies,” according to court documents obtained by The Province.”

People posting internet comments have mainly been anger toward the priorities of the RCMP, Lorne Schnell commented:

“She’s a sweet girl, and I’m horrified that the police are charging her and neglecting, say, the string of sexual assaults right up the stairs. She was a part of Wreck culture.”

Brock Simmons writes, “Of course the RCMP still hasn’t caught the repeat sexual predator that was stalking the UBC campus but thank god they nailed the boozy freezy woman to the wall. I can sleep easy tonight.”

UBC RCMP pig Drew Grainger, “There is a lot of drugs and alcohol going on (at Wreck Beach),. “It’s been a challenge for this detachment for many years…… We would be naive to think that there isn’t going to continue to be the sale of drugs and alcohol.”

A challenge? No shit you dumb pig. People drink alcohol and do drugs in public and don’t really give a flying fuck if it’s against the law. Wreck is one of the best places in the summer to relax,enjoy the sunshine, drinks and let loose. The RCMP swine go on to say that they will be stepping up police patrols in the summer to protect us. We don’t need your protection or want you on Wreck Beach.

RCMP Pig, “There’s going to be enhanced police patrols done there, I can guarantee that, throughout the summer months,” he said.

Its time to be smart and not let them ticket our harass us or anyone on the beach. It’s time for the cops to leave us alone and they can continue living a meaningless existence.

On Friday, January 10, police attacked a march of 3000 people protesting a gentrifying construction project in the working class neighborhood of Gamonal, Burgos. In response, people began rioting, building barricades, destroying construction equipment, attacking banks and police.

Rioting continued the following day after a protest of 1,500 in solidarity with the first day’s arrestees.

On Sunday the 12th, 3000 people took to the streets again demanding the release of the over 40 people arrested by police so far.

Rioting and attacks also occurred the fourth consecutive night, January 13.

On the morning of January 14, 300 people gathered and blocked the construction equipment from arriving at the work site.

The NATO 3—Brent Betterly, Brian Jacob Church, and Jared Chase—sat through another full day of jury selection today. Jury selection will resume tomorrow morning. A significant development in the case today was that the prosecution will not be trying an additional 2 counts that the defendants had been facing, reducing the number for trial down to 7 of the original 11 counts. The defendants will now be tried on the charges of material support for terrorism, conspiracy to commit terrorism, possession of an incendiary device (4 counts), and solicitation to commit arson.

We have also learned more about the public viewing process that will be used during trial. This process seems to be in the works still, so stay tuned for future updates. At this point, it seems that any person interested in attending the trial at any point will need to go to the Cook County criminal courthouse at 2650 South California Avenue to register as a spectator. Each person will need to provide a state-issued photo ID so that a background check can be run. This check will look for warrants and active orders for protection issued for anyone involved in the trial process (e.g., defendants, court clerks, attorneys, etc.). We should know more about the registration location and hours soon, so stay tuned.

Jury selection in the NATO 3 conspiracy and terrorism case began this morning and continued until the late evening. In the morning, the prosecution announced that two charges (Counts 10 and 11) had been dropped. These were both unlawful use of a weapon charges. The defendants are now heading towards trial with 9 counts instead of the 11 they have faced since they were arrested in May 2012.

Jury selection will resume in the morning. The judge also stated that the trial itself will commence with opening statements on Tuesday, January 21st, so stay tuned for more information and plan to start packing the courtroom then!

The defendants seemed to be in good spirits and engaged in the jury selection process (to the extent they can be in this thoroughly disempowering system), despite the long hours today. Please take a moment to write* them a note of solidarity today to let them know you’ve got their back!